Reporting Abuse, Neglect, or Dependency of a Child

Who Should Report?

North Carolina's reporting law applies to every person and every institution in
the state. It requires "any person or institution who has cause to suspect that
any juvenile is abused, neglected, or dependent, as defined by NCGS 7B-101, or has
died as a result of maltreatment" to make a report to the county department of social
services.

Are There Any Exceptions?

North Carolina law provides that "no privilege shall be grounds for any person or
institution failing to report that a juvenile may have been abused, neglected, or
dependent, even if the knowledge or suspicion is acquired in an official professional
capacity." The Juvenile Code contains only one exception for the otherwise universal
duty to report. An attorney is not required to make a report if "the knowledge or
suspicion is gained by [the] attorney from that attorney's client during representation
only in the abuse, neglect, or dependency case." In any other situation the law
requires attorneys to report like anyone else.

How Do I Report?

Call Forsyth County's Child Protective Services or visit the office in person to
make a report.